BW7 CH1

Chapter One

Sean was grim as he got into the carriage with his wives. The time they’d spent waiting for their possessions to be returned hadn’t helped his mood. The last day weighed on him, and his thoughts chased themselves over what he had to do before meeting the others at the Oaken Glen.

Fiona placed her hand on his. “Sean?”

Blinking, he gave her a tired smile. “I’m fine. I killed more people than I thought I’d have to.”

“I can help with that later, if you need,” Felora said, looking around Andrea on her lap.

“I’ll probably need it,” Sean admitted. “Even though we were just defending ourselves, I don’t feel good about killing.”

“We’re glad you’re alive,” Ida said from his other side— she was sitting on Ryann, and leaned over to kiss his cheek. The others agreed with her.

“We felt the Bonds tremble, and then you were pulling on them,” Fiona said. “I Shaped the door open... we feared the worst. We never expected to see what had happened.”

“It wouldn’t have gotten that far if not for the immobilizing wand Amerut had. He froze me in place, and I couldn’t move enough to stop them,” Sean said tightly, remembering that feeling of impotence.

“They had already killed me,” Helga said from where she sat with Aria on her lap. “I couldn’t help. By the time I was back, his throat had been cut.”

“You killed them in the end,” Myna said, kissing Sean’s cheek, shifting from her spot on Fiona.

“Yes, and I’ll be visiting them soon,” Sean said darkly. “Bath, a quick meal, then a trip to see the magistrate.” All of his wives reached out to touch him and he shuddered. “Thank you... I’m sorry for what happened. I thought I’d just have to deal with Denmur… I didn’t think it would cause this cascade.”

“We’re with you, husband,” Fiona whispered, “no matter what happens. Ven?”

Ven floated between them all. “Yes?” Their question was soft, clearly waiting for a rebuke.

“Assign one of our Fairies to be a messenger only. If one of you had been able to tell us, we would’ve had the door open much sooner. I know you were all trying to help him, but the delay…” Fiona trailed off.

“I’ve already taken that step,” Ven replied. “I thought of it after the fact. Four of us will be prepared to defend you, and one will be there to go for aid right away. We again felt like we didn’t do much to assist... In fact, we caused him more strain, as he brought two of us back.”

Sean reached out, cupping Ven with his palm and bringing the Fairy closer. “You almost had their eyes. More practice is all you need. We’ll look into what else can be done to help.”

“Yes, sir,” Ven said, though they were still clearly upset.

“Sean, how is your energy?” Andrea asked from her place on Felora’s lap.

“Low. I should not use any today if I can help it. I effectively brought myself back to life. My silver cord was fraying as I drifted out of my body…” Sean’s eyes went wide. “I died. The staff…!”

“No,” Fiona said softly. “Arliat is driving the carriage, Sean. She was fine.”

Sean exhaled as that fear lifted off his chest. “I… I forgot she was driving.”

“Sharpeyes will be upset,” Felora said. “The loss of so many crafters is a blow to the city as a whole. The guards were effectively called out by the chief magistrate letting you go and by Jasper freeing Flamehair.”

“Fuck him,” Sean said tightly. “We’ll deal with him. I’m going to have to talk with Lady Sharpeyes again. She might have a way for me to legally bring him to a duel.”

His wives stilled at the very idea, but Helga nodded. “I shall take up that challenge for you, Sean.”

Aria shifted in place. She looked at Helga’s back, then at Sean. “Sean, would you accept her as your shield?”

Ryann inhaled sharply, then exhaled. “She is the best fighter, and she can die and come back for him, too. I know that one of us being his shield makes him worry.”

“If you wish me to do so, I will take that mantle,” Helga said.

“Ladies?” Fiona asked. “Consensus?”

One by one, they all agreed, then looked at Sean. Sean returned each of their looks in turn before nodding. “I would feel better if it was Helga.” He faced Ryann. “Your point was why. I fear for you as my shield because you have to be in danger for me, and I hate that, even more now that you have our child.” His gaze shifted to Aria. “Aria, you were put off because of the loss and kids, but now… would you like to join them?”

Aria’s smile grew wide. “If you’re offering to give me a child, then yes. All of your children will have a sibling from each of us to play with that way.”

Andrea touched Aria’s knee. “I’m glad you get to.”

Sean met Helga’s eyes. “You’ve killed and died for me, Helga. That’s likely going to be your life with us. I won’t force you, if—”

“I will be your shield and your spear,” Helga said, interrupting him. “I am your Chooser; you have called me thus. My honor at being your first makes my soul sing, Sean. Please, allow me to be the bulwark for you and your wives. It is a small step on my path of redemption in your wives’ eyes.”

“No,” Andrea said softly. “No... You did all you could for him and will continue to do so.” Swallowing, she turned to face Helga. “I absolve you of guilt. Chas would praise you for taking this role and allowing us to carry his children. I will be as she would. No more debt. You have a solemn task, though, protecting our soul.”

Helga inhaled as she felt the surge of energy from Andrea. “Mistress...” The word was a whisper and Helga’s eyes glowed with white-black flame for a moment. “Your word is my command.”

Felora saw the fire and spoke quickly, “I reinforce this command, Helga Oathsworn. Your task is guarding our soul. Never fail in this.”

The flame brightened as Helga stiffened. “As you command, mistress.”

“Never fail,” Ryann added.

Sean watched as his wives spoke one by one, the energy in Helga’s eyes glowing brighter with each repetition. When Helga spoke to assure Fiona, the last of his wives to speak, Sean said, “Helga Oathsworn, Chooser, my wives have spoken and I approve of their words. Let this be your purpose, setting aside all that came before to bind this to you.”

Helga shuddered and her eyes blazed as she stared at Sean, her very soul vibrating to his words. “As my lord wishes and as his wives command, so it shall be. I am his shield, his bulwark, his spear, and his fist. I will protect him against all threats, safeguarding his soul, as that saves them all. No one, not even those false gods of my past, can sway me from this task.”

Sean felt the bindings on her and shivered as it bled back to him bit by bit. “Accepted. Welcome to the family as a part of it, Chooser.”

Helga slumped. Her lips parted and her eyes closed as she shivered under Aria. “My lord... thank you.”

Sean started to reply when he inhaled sharply— a flood of energy rushed from Helga to him. All of his wives were shocked to see the same white-black flame burning in his eyes for a moment before it faded.

“Sean?” Fiona asked, touching his cheek.

“I’m fine… better, actually,” Sean said slowly. “Helga?”

“I lost a soul, my lord,” Helga murmured softly. “You had need, and they went to you.”

Sean exhaled slowly. His energy was higher than it had been, but still below half. “Interesting. We’ll have to let you take some more souls from the bog. Having extra energy waiting is too useful to not use it if needed.”

“That means you’ll never be as drained as you were for the battle before the city,” Felora said. “Could you… pass that straight to us?”

Sean frowned. “We’ll have to test it, but right now might not be the best time.”

The carriage slowed and Arliat’s voice calling caught their ears, “Open it up, Quinna. We’re home.”

“We need to tell them about what happened, too,” Sean said.

“While we eat,” Fiona told him. “First, a shower for you.”

“Yeah,” Sean said. “I’ll be skipping the bath, though. I need to eat and then visit the bog.”

“I can help get you there faster,” Felora said.

“I was going to ask,” Sean told her as the carriage moved forward again.

“We’ll all be joining you for the shower,” Fiona told Sean. “I think we all want to be close for a while. Also, we’d all like to see the bog, I think.”

“I’m fine with that,” Sean said. “I want you all close, too. It relaxes me.”

The carriage stopped. “Sir, we’re here.”

Aria opened the door and got out first. His wives followed one by one, leaving Sean as the last one out. Stepping down from the carriage, he found all of the staff out in the yard.

“We’ll need a light meal, Glorina,” Sean told the head cook. “Things didn’t go as planned, as you all know. We’ll cover it while we all eat. We’ll be taking a quick shower, then meeting in the dining room. After that, I’ll be visiting the bog.”

“Sir,” Rumina asked quickly, “can I go, too?”

The others all began to ask if they could go and Fiona cleared her throat. “Ladies, this is a purposeful visit, not for sightseeing. If you want to see the bog and manor, we can arrange it later.”

“Fiona, wait,” Sean said. “Felora, is it even possible?”

Felora looked at the staff with a small smile. “Yes. We’d have to use the dining room, as they won’t all fit into bed with us.”

A few of the staff blinked, not having expected that answer. Rosa appeared the most uncomfortable, a few looked thoughtful or hopeful, and the twins seemed disappointed.

“Okay, we’ll cover it, then,” Sean said.

“Is meat and cheese with crackers enough for the meal, sir?” Glorina asked.

“Sure. We’ll have dinner after I speak with the others at the inn. This whole day is off schedule, so we’ll work around it.”

Glorina, Mona, and Lona headed for the kitchen, ready to do their job. The others followed the family inside, but went to the dining room as Sean and his wives entered the bathroom.